All Things Strathmore Paper

Show Notes:

Season 2

336 - All Things Strathmore Paper

This week John and Barb are inviting back artist Sara Prentice to talk about Strathmore Paper.

Sara discusses some of the company history, differences in paper types, and how Strathmore was the first to bring the toned paper to market.

You’re bound to learn something new about paper and this company as you listen to the conversation today!

Strathmore Website: strathmoreartist.com

Strathmore on Instagram: @strathmoreart

Sara’s Instagram: @saraprenticeart

Questions for Strathmore, go to: https://www.strathmoreartist.com/contact.html

Links and references from the show:

If you ready to learn more about Strathmore, then sign up for their quarterly newletter:

https://www.strathmoreartist.com/artist-newsletter.html

Sara Prentice Podcast Interview

Sarah Becktel Podcast Interview

As always, you can reach out to the show if you’d like to offer any suggestions: podcast@sharpenedartist.com

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For rough-cut, early-release, and ad-free video versions of the podcast, join the Member’s Circle.

The podcast is also supported by Amazon Music Unlimited. If you're looking for a new music streaming service, Amazon Music Unlimited will be perfect. It features 70 million songs and thousands of expert-programmed playlists and stations - all available ad-free! 

So check it out today by going to getamazonmusic.com/sharp We thank Amazon Music Unlimited for their support of the podcast. 

Artists Signature Chart (16-Page PDF E-book) - John’s List of 65 curated colors:

https://payhip.com/b/eP4cI/af60da3dce31c55

The special listener coupon code is “sharpart20” to get 20% off a single chart.

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Other Resources for Artists

Ready for personal, tailored art mentoring? Check out the new Art Mentoring program and how you can get started for free!

>>>Join the Monthly Sharpener: a NEW online community for colored pencil artists!<<<

Stay sharp!

Interview with Sara Prentice

Show Notes:

Season 2

335 - Interview with Sara Prentice

This week John and Barb are speaking with artist Sara Prentice.

Sara, an artist and marketing manager at the Strathmore Paper Company, is a Wisconsin native.

With a young child underfoot, Sara discusses her strategies for balancing art, a career, and family life.

She also offers advice for the complete beginner and how to get started acquiring the supplies you need without breaking the bank.

Listen in as she discusses some of her various roles at Strathmore. She shares how you can determine which paper might be best for your art, depending on the medium and your unique approach.

She discusses some of her favorite pencils and materials, and why she typically opts to work on a small scale. She expounds on why choosing not to work large can be more approachable, and how incorporating other mediums into your work can keep your work alive and fresh!

Sara’s Instagram: @saraprenticeart

Strathmore Instgram: @strathmoreart

Strathmore Website: strathmoreartist.com

As always, you can reach out to the show if you’d like to offer any suggestions: podcast@sharpenedartist.com

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For rough-cut, early-release, and ad-free video versions of the podcast, join the Member’s Circle.

The podcast is also supported by Amazon Music Unlimited. If you're looking for a new music streaming service, Amazon Music Unlimited will be perfect. It features 70 million songs and thousands of expert-programmed playlists and stations - all available ad-free! 

So check it out today by going to getamazonmusic.com/sharp We thank Amazon Music Unlimited for their support of the podcast. 

Artists Signature Chart (16-Page PDF E-book) - John’s List of 65 curated colors:

https://payhip.com/b/eP4cI/af60da3dce31c55

The special listener coupon code is “sharpart20” to get 20% off a single chart.

---

Other Resources for Artists

Ready for personal, tailored art mentoring? Check out the new Art Mentoring program and how you can get started for free!

>>>Join the Monthly Sharpener: a NEW online community for colored pencil artists!<<<

Stay sharp!

Why Your Paper Matters

Show Notes:

Season 2

334 - Why Your Paper Matters

There are so many different types of papers and surfaces that you can use for your artwork. Your choice of paper depends on so many different factors, like level of experience, preference in tactile surface feeling, and your unique mark-making.

In this episode, Barb and John discuss some of these key differences to be aware of when selecting papers. They also talk about which surfaces they each prefer to use now.

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New Mini-Workshop for Artists

Barb and I are teaching a live zoom workshop for anyone who wants to gain more confidence in your photo post-production process.

There are no prerequisites to attending this class. Show up early and ready to take notes and ask questions!

It’s filling up fast and we’re only accepting 40 attendees.

Go here to enroll: Photo Editing Mini-Workshop

As always, you can reach out to the show if you’d like to offer any suggestions: podcast@sharpenedartist.com

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For rough-cut, early-release, and ad-free video versions of the podcast, join the Member’s Circle.

Artists Signature Chart (16-Page PDF E-book) - John’s List of 65 curated colors:

https://payhip.com/b/eP4cI/af60da3dce31c55

The special listener coupon code is “sharpart20” to get 20% off a single chart.

---

Other Resources for Artists

Ready for personal, tailored art mentoring? Check out the new Art Mentoring program and how you can get started for free!

>>>Join the Monthly Sharpener: a NEW online community for colored pencil artists!<<<

Stay sharp!

Interview with Sarah Becktel

Show Notes:

Season 2

333 - Interview with Sarah Becktel

To kick off the new season of the podcast John is speaking with artist Sarah Becktel.

Sarah speaks about diversifying your income as an artist. She talks about how to get started in the medium of colored pencil other advice for artists.

As an artist, Sarah discusses diversifying your revenue streams. She explains how to get started with colored pencils and how to prioritize what's most essential. She also gives advice on what to do if you're "stuck" and need some inspiration.

Sarah shares her favorite pencils, papers, and ways she mixes the medium with acrylic.

She mentions how she was affected by viewing some taxidermy as part of her artist residency from years ago.

Sarah’s websites:

Instagram: @sarahbecktel

Website: sarahbecktel.com

As always, you can reach out to the show if you’d like to offer any suggestions: podcast@sharpenedartist.com

---

For rough-cut, early-release, and ad-free video versions of the podcast, join the Member’s Circle.

Artists Signature Chart (16-Page PDF E-book) - John’s List of 65 curated colors:

https://payhip.com/b/eP4cI/af60da3dce31c55

The special listener coupon code is “sharpart20” to get 20% off a single chart.

---

Other Resources for Artists

Ready for personal, tailored art mentoring? Check out the new Art Mentoring program and how you can get started for free!

>>>Join the Monthly Sharpener: a NEW online community for colored pencil artists!<<<

Stay sharp!

Season 2 Trailer

Show Notes:

Season 2 of the podcast is coming up soon!

John and Barb are gearing up for a new season of the podcast. Listen to the trailer to find out what’s in store for this year in season 2.

As always, you can reach out to the show if you’d like to offer any suggestions: podcast@sharpenedartist.com

---

For rough-cut, early-release, and ad-free video versions of the podcast, join the Member’s Circle.

Artists Signature Chart (16-Page PDF E-book) - John’s List of 65 curated colors:

https://payhip.com/b/eP4cI/af60da3dce31c55

The special listener coupon code is “sharpart20” to get 20% off a single chart.

---

Other Resources for Artists

Ready for personal, tailored art mentoring? Check out the new Art Mentoring program and how you can get started for free!

>>>Join the Monthly Sharpener: a NEW online community for colored pencil artists!<<<

Stay sharp!

290 - Color Matching and Failure

Show Notes:

290 - Color Matching and Failure

This week John Middick and Barb Sotiropoulos discuss an art project failure that John recently had. John talks about how and why to reach out for help.  

You are not alone if you’ve experienced failures in your art.  Most artists do make mistakes that you never see. Sometimes when all you see are the highlight reels shown on Facebook and Instagram you can walk away with the perception that all artists (except you) are perfect. 

References or links mentioned

Go to monthly sharpener to check out the video version of this podcast to see the landscape John and Barb are talking about.

Thanks to our sponsor UART Premium Sanded Paper for sponsoring the Colored Pencil Podcast.

Get 20% off your order of UART products at https://www.dakotapastels.com/ by using the promo code UART20 at checkout! (Hurry, offer expires soon).

Please visit the UART website to find out more about sanded paper: uartpastelpaper.com

Stay sharp!

289 - Improvement is a Marathon

Show Notes:

289 - Improvement is a Marathon

This week John is talking with Barb Sotiropoulos about the benefits of looking back at your past work with an eye toward improvement. But change does not happen without effort and intention. And, maybe more importantly, change doesn't happen overnight!

References or links mentioned

Be sure and visit Barb’s blog post on Revisiting your Art. You'll see artwork from several artists, created from years ago or from childhood, now recreated from an adult perspective! It’s fascinating to see those changes. Why not try it yourself?

Thanks to our sponsor UART Premium Sanded Paper for sponsoring the Colored Pencil Podcast.

Get 20% off your order of UART products at https://www.dakotapastels.com/ by using the promo code UART20 at checkout! (Hurry, offer expires soon).

Please visit the UART website to find out more about sanded paper: uartpastelpaper.com

Stay sharp!

286‌ ‌-‌ ‌Using‌ ‌Solvent‌ ‌To‌ ‌Correct‌ ‌A‌ ‌Problem‌ ‌

Show Notes:

286 - Using Solvent To Correct A Problem

This week John discusses something that has happened to him more than once lately and how he was able to correct the problem.  Often our first reaction to a drawing mistake is to reach for an eraser or worse, to start over completely.  But in this show, John talks about using solvent to “rework” an area and build it back up again.

Other Resources for Artists

Ready for personal, tailored art mentoring? Check out the new Art Mentoring program and how you can get started for free!

For the full video versions of the interview podcasts, join the Member’s Circle.

>>>Join the Monthly Sharpener: a BRAND NEW online community for artists!<<<

• Learn a groundbreaking new technique in the Colored Pencil Painting with Water Course.

• Download the FREE 90 day Colored Pencil Learning Roadmap to learn exactly what to do in your first 90 days in colored pencil.

Stay sharp!

285 - Slow Motion Gets You There Faster

Show Notes:

285 - Slow Motion Gets You There Faster

This week John talks about how to approach a new technique, pencils or surface. Take it slow.

Give yourself a chance to grow slowly over time. That’s true in art and in just about anything else you apply it to.

Other Resources for Artists

Ready for personal, tailored art mentoring? Check out the new Art Mentoring program and how you can get started for free!

For the full video versions of the interview podcasts, join the Member’s Circle.

>>>Join the Monthly Sharpener: a BRAND NEW online community for artists!<<<

• Learn a groundbreaking new technique in the Colored Pencil Painting with Water Course.

• Download the FREE 90 day Colored Pencil Learning Roadmap to learn exactly what to do in your first 90 days in colored pencil.

Stay sharp!

284 - This One Thing Will Improve Your Art

Show Notes:

284 - This One Thing Will Improve Your Art

This week John discusses a question that he’s been asked. Can you identify the one thing that, if implemented, will improve someone’s artwork?

There are many things to consider when you evaluate your own work. But what is a single most important thing to focus on?

Listen to the show to find out more about what that one thing is.

Other Resources for Artists

Ready for personal, tailored art mentoring? Check out the new Art Mentoring program and how you can get started for free!

For the full video versions of the interview podcasts, join the Member’s Circle.

>>>Join the Monthly Sharpener: a BRAND NEW online community for artists!<<<

• Learn a groundbreaking new technique in the Colored Pencil Painting with Water Course.

• Download the FREE 90 day Colored Pencil Learning Roadmap to learn exactly what to do in your first 90 days in colored pencil.

Stay sharp!

283 - When Are You Good Enough For The Good Pencils?

Show Notes:

283 - When Are You Good Enough For The Good Pencils?

John discusses a problem that many artists encounter in their own minds. It materializes in a comment like: I’m not really good enough yet to use the good pencils. So what is the measurement to indicate you’re “good enough” for better materials, or something else you’ve been reserving in your mind for that elusive day in the future? 

References or links mentioned

Goals Workbook

Other Resources for Artists

Ready for personal, tailored art mentoring? Check out the new Art Mentoring program and how you can get started for free!

For the full video versions of the interview podcasts, join the Member’s Circle.

>>>Join the Monthly Sharpener: a BRAND NEW online community for artists!<<<

• Learn a groundbreaking new technique in the Colored Pencil Painting with Water Course.

• Download the FREE 90 day Colored Pencil Learning Roadmap to learn exactly what to do in your first 90 days in colored pencil.

Stay sharp!

282 - The More Things Change The More...

Show Notes:

282 - The More Things Change The More...

In this week’s show, John talks about how this year, 2020, has been so different, to say the least!  And it was about this time last year that John was talking about planning for 2020. 

Still, there are good things that have been learned by going through this year.

As a metaphor, John talks about some of the differences that using various papers have been able to teach him. There have been some surprising things that have NOT changed from using so many different surfaces. Just goes to show that “the more things change, the more they stay the same.”

Other Resources for Artists

Ready for personal, tailored art mentoring? Check out the new Art Mentoring program and how you can get started for free!

For the full video versions of the interview podcasts, join the Member’s Circle.

>>>Join the Monthly Sharpener: a BRAND NEW online community for artists!<<<

• Learn a groundbreaking new technique in the Colored Pencil Painting with Water Course.

• Download the FREE 90 day Colored Pencil Learning Roadmap to learn exactly what to do in your first 90 days in colored pencil.

Stay sharp!

212 Lightfast Questions And Paper Tone

 Show Notes

Sharpened Artist: Colored Pencil Podcast

Release Date: July 22, 2019

Topic: Lightfast Color Questions and Paper Tone

Points of Interest:

John and Lisa are using this episode to tackle a few of the questions they receive over and over:

-Do you cover every bit of the paper with pencil, or do you use the tone of the paper to help with the color?

-How do you cut down larger paper?

-Can you use non-lightfast colors underneath your lightfast colors?

Links Referenced:

Colored Pencil Titanium White

Canson Mi-Teintes Drawing Paper

Interview with Holly Bedrosian

Logan mat cutters

Free 30-day Audible Trial:

www.audibletrial.com/cppodcast

Looking for past episodes? The “Techniques” CD is a curated edition of some of our earlier shows. Click here to learn more!

John’s Twitter: @sharpenedartist

Lisa’s Twitter: @lachri

As always, thanks for listening! Tune in next week for more from John and Lisa. In the meantime, be sure to visit www.sharpenedartist.com for additional updates and information. You can also join our Facebook group, Colored Pencil Podcast, or contact us by email at podcast@sharpenedartist.com .

If you want more colored pencil inspiration, snag a FREE sample issue of the COLORED PENCIL MAGAZINE here!

Stay sharp!

108 Lightbulb Moments

Show Notes

Sharpened Artist: Colored Pencil Podcast

Release Date: June 12, 2017

Topic: Lightbulb Moments in Colored Pencil

Points of Interest:
John is joined in this episode by guest host Cecilia Kinzie, founder of the popular Facebook group Colored Pencils 4 Beginners and Beyond. They discuss a broad range of “lightbulb moments” in their artistic careers: tools, techniques, and tips that were total game-changers. Do YOU have a lightbulb moment? Share it in the comments!

Links Referenced:

Colored Pencil for Beginners and Beyond (Facebook Group and website)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/coloredpencils4b/

http://coloredpencils4b.com/

Sharpened Artist Academy—Beginner’s Colored Pencil Course

Ester Roi’s Interview on The Colored Pencil Podcast

Tracy Frein Fine Art

https://tracyfrein.faso.com/

Products Mentioned:

Stonehenge Paper pads and individual sheets

Gamsol Solvent

Scrubber Brushes (Cecilia loves size 2)

Icarus Drawing Board

Sanded Paper

Drafting Film

Pastel Grounds

Pan Pastels

Tombow MONO Sand Eraser

Ready to take your business to the next level? Check out the copywriting and blogging services at Clarity & Flair:

www.clarityandflair.com

Free 30-day Audible Trial:

www.audibletrial.com/cppodcast

John’s Twitter: @sharpenedartist

Lisa’s Twitter: @lachri

As always, thanks for listening! Tune in next week for more from John and Lisa. In the meantime, be sure to visit www.sharpenedartist.com for additional updates and information. You can also join our Facebook group, Colored Pencil Podcast, or contact us by email at podcast@sharpenedartist.com .

Stay sharp!

072 Using Colored Pencil on Black Paper

Show Notes

Sharpened Artist: Colored Pencil Podcast

Release Date: October 3, 2016

Topic: Using Colored Pencil on Black Paper

Points of Interest:

If you’ve ever been interested in using black paper for your colored pencil work, be sure to tune into this episode where John and Lisa describe their own experiences. You’ll pick up tips on specific recommended papers, why you should pay closer attention to the pencils you’re using, and how to approach the project from a different perspective than you may be used to.

Links Referenced:

Canson Art Boards

http://www.dickblick.com/products/canson-art-boards/

Titanium White Powder

https://www.brushandpencil.com/Products-Colored_Pencil_Titanium_White.html

Colored Pencil Touch-Up Texture

https://www.brushandpencil.com/Products-Colored_Pencil_Titanium_White.html

John’s Twitter: @sharpenedartist

Lisa’s Twitter: @lachri

As always, thanks for listening! Tune in next week for more from John and Lisa. In the meantime, be sure to visit www.sharpenedartist.com for additional updates and information. You can also join our Facebook group, Colored Pencil Podcast, or contact us by email at podcast@sharpenedartist.com .

Stay sharp!

014 Portraits That AREN'T Creepy

Topic:  How to render portraits in colored pencil

Intro:  Lisa and John discuss colored pencil portraits AND the new Colored Pencil Paper by Strathmore

Every single part of drawing a portrait is laying the foundation for the final product.  

Before beginning, it is good to know what I want the outcome to look like.

So for me, there are 4 areas that I am most concerned with:

1. The layout - Am I going to trace an outline of the face or am I going to freehand?  Where is the subject going to be placed on the paper or canvas?  

2. The focus in the face - If the focus is not going to be the eyes then that particular feature needs to be something that I think about and make sure that I keep that the focus.  As I’m progressing through my rendering of the portrait I am still thinking about that focus area.  In other words, just because I may be working on a cheek, I don’t want to become unbalanced in that.  In my effort to render a cheek I still want the eyes to draw the viewer in.

3. Values and three-dimensional rendering in the face - For example, if I am drawing a nose.  Then I want to keep in my mind that at least I know in my mind that this is a nose and it has an apex at the very tip of the nose.  The tip of the nose will probably be lighter than any other part of the face because the 3D rules dictate that I do that.

4. Building my values slowly - I do not want to speed things up and start quickly laying down pigment with pencils, just because I know there’s a large area that needs this one color.  I want to take my time and very slowly build up the values so that everything is in balance.  At any time I could stop drawing and call the piece a complete rendering- IF, I’ve kept the right balance.

For me, the face or subject matter is something that should have continuity.  It is sort of like water flowing down a river in one direction or a musical piece.  There is a balance with music.  We don’t all of a sudden in the middle of a piece, typically, change all the instruments and change the time signature.   But rather, there is some confluence in the piece.  There is some flowing from one musical portion to the next.  

Drawing is no different.  

There must always be a balance.